The Taihing Tea Region is located in Meishan Township, Chiayi County, and ranks among the store manager’s top picks for great value. The main tea varieties grown here are Qingxin Oolong and JinXuan.
With an elevation ranging from 600 to 900 meters, it is considered a mid-elevation tea region. However, the exceptional local environment allows the tea quality to easily rival high-mountain teas grown above 1,000 meters. The JinXuan tea is particularly noteworthy—the store manager is a huge fan of it from this area. Output is plentiful, and given that JinXuan is rarely found at higher elevations (above 1,000 meters), the varietal aroma here is truly outstanding.
▼ On the downside, some tea plantations are intercropped with betel nut or coffee trees, leading to inconsistent overall management. It’s difficult to maintain high quality in these lots, so the store manager deliberately avoids them. Additionally, quality can vary quite a bit in the lower-elevation plots.
Aside from spring and winter teas, harvest also includes second-crop, summer, black, and autumn teas, making this a high-yield region with generally reliable quality.
You can easily reach the Taihing Tea Region by taking County Route 166 and then turning onto Chiayi Rural Road 154, with tea fields welcoming you all along the way. Road conditions are generally good. If you have some spare time, you can also explore the neighboring Ruili, Ruifeng, and Taiping tea regions. Nearby attractions include the Taiping Suspension Bridge, Shuisheliao Station, and Yuntan Waterfall.
Manager’s Verdict: Exceptional JinXuan quality. You can frequently discover incredible, high-value gems here.